GARETH COOPER has been told to become Wales's answer to 'The Guv'nor' - Australia captain George Gregan.

GARETH COOPER has been told to become Wales's answer to 'The Guv'nor' - Australia captain George Gregan.

Wales coach Steve Hansen wants his promising scrum-half to model himself on the Wallaby catalyst by becoming more bossy.

Gregan is revered by most in Australia for his no-nonsense approach but disliked in some other countries, New Zealand in particular, for his ability to influence games.

Hansen gave Cooper a pep talk during Wales's recent tour of Australia and New Zealand, where the Celtic Warriors signing had a chance to assess Gregan's style from close quarters after facing him in the Test with the world champions.

"Steve has identified I need to be more of a leader," said Cooper. "I did work on that during the tour and felt I improved. I learnt a lot from Gregan and also playing against New Zealand.

"Hopefully, acquiring some of Gregan's traits will help me, the way he controls games and orders people around.

"He practically refereed the game against us. You need to have influence over your own side and maybe a bit over the referee. You have to talk to the players."

Having the same mental effect on team-mates, opponents and referees as Gregan could help the 24-year-old as he seeks to nail down a place in Wales's World Cup team.

Gregan is nicknamed 'The Guv'nor' for the roastings he gives his own side, his ability to rile and put opponents off their game, and for cajoling referees to be sympathetic to his team by rarely shutting up.

And Cooper could see the difference between Gregan and Steve Devine, the scrum-half who faced Wales for New Zealand in Hamilton.

"Devine was much the same as me, quieter, and not as confident and experienced as Gregan," he said.

Devine only made his Test debut against England last autumn and, like fellow rookie Cooper, is growing into the role of international scrum-half, the hub of a team.

Pencoed product Cooper, who left Bath following that tour to become a Warrior knows he has Dwayne Peel, Michael Phillips and Ryan Powell breathing down his neck.

Asked if he felt the position was his after being picked in Hansen's apparent first-choice team for Saturday's clash with England, Cooper replied, "I would like that to be the case, but Dwayne had a good game against Ireland last weekend.

"The competition for places drives me on to train and play hard. There's also Mike and Ryan, who has been injured but who will be back, perhaps for the World Cup."

Cooper's attempt to become the 'Welsh Guv'nor' starts against England and Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, a player who normally has plenty to say.

"It's a fine line between success and failure. And 5pm on Saturday I hope we come off the field having shown what we can do," he said.